Tuesday, September 15, 2015

Stealth Saga #6: All the Pretty Planes

General specifications for China's FC-31 export version of the J-31 stealth fighter have been posted online in China.

India has requested  Russia let Indian test pilots fly and evaluate the PAK-FA.

Indian Air Force's vice chief apparently wrote a letter highlighting 27 problems with the PAK-FA/FGFA project and effectively blocking further work, frustrating Moscow.

Britain's Taranis stealth drone will make its final flights later this year.

War is Boring takes out the battle axe to the F-35 again.  And again, claiming the F-35B the Marines declared IOC is anything but ready for combat.

Israel wants the US to ensure it will be the only nation in the Middle East to operate the F-35. Um. Turkey? 

Lockheed has a new electrooptical sensor pod for the F-35.

The US Air Force feels the most challenging piece to getting the F-35A to IOC is the ALIS maintenance software.  However, once IOC is declared, the F-35A will probably be sent overseas very quickly.

The US Air Force still weighing options for a block buy of F-35s.

A continuing resolution would significantly impact the F-35 software development.

The F-35 will start with three missions: close air support (!), suppression of air defenses and air to air aircraft combat.

While not about stealth aircraft per se, GE and P&W are submitting their next generation fighter engine proposals.



Lockheed's proposed replacement for the U-2, the TR-X, is unveiled.  And more about it.

There's more speculation about what the Long Range Strike Bomber will have for capabilities.

The House of Representatives supports the B-3 (LRS-B) but is concerned about the price.

General Deptula's report on the LRS-B and the capabilities it ought to have came out.

No comments: